The talk was of the greatest-ever derby to be staged in the self-styled capital of European football, but beneath the bullish veneer Carlo Ancelotti and Hector Cuper remain painfully aware of the realities of tonight's semi-final in San Siro.
The coaches of Milan and Internazionale are managing for their futures.
For the first time in this competition, two sides who share a stadium go head to head. The resurgence of il calcio may have guaranteed at least one Italian finalist in Manchester later this month but, while Juventus wait to secure their 27th scudetto this weekend, this remains another season of bitter domestic under-achievement in Milan.
The pressure is heaped more on Cuper than his counterpart. The Argentinian arrived in Italy with a reputation as a choker, courtesy of Valencia's pair of near misses in this competition, and his cautious approach has brought little reward to his club. The Inter chairman Massimo Moratti's criticism after the weekend 1-1 draw at Atalanta, which left Inter eight points behind Juve, was telling. "Something's missing," he said. "There are promising signs at this club but it's a shame the present is so demoralising.
"I'm used to working under this kind of pressure, so I'm not overly concerned," said Cuper, whose side have lost twice to Milan in the league this season and will be without the injured Christian Vieiri for the first leg. AC Milan's victories in the two derby meetings has led many to conclude Cuper's side start as underdogs, but the Inter coach said those results meant little.
"We lost those games due to errors. I don't think those results will effect us," said Cuper. "I don't see why Milan are called favourites. Do they have more desire? Are they more determined? Do they play better than us? No I don't think so. I know my players. I know my team. We are in excellent shape and I am convinced that we will get to the final.
"It won't be an open game but it will be spectacular," said Ancelotti. "Of course we want to produce attractive football, but the result will be everything."
Not least for the opposing managers.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
AC MILAN: Dida; Costacurta, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Brocchi, Gattuso, Seedorf; Rui Costa; Shevchenko, Inzaghi.
INTERNAZIONALE: Toldo; J Zanetti, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Cordoba; Sergio Conceicao, Di Biagio, Emre, Morfeo; Recoba; Crespo.
Referee: V Ivanov (Russia)
Guardian Service
